China News Service, Beijing, March 18, Cairo News: According to foreign media reports, on the 17th local time, the Egyptian government and the European Union signed a cooperation agreement totaling 7.4 billion euros, covering cooperation in finance, energy, immigration and other fields.
Agence France-Presse reported that Egyptian President Sisi and European Commission President von der Leyen signed the agreement in Cairo on the afternoon of the 17th. Austrian Prime Minister Nehammer, Belgian Prime Minister De Croo, Italian Prime Minister Meloni, and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotaki The signing ceremony was attended by the Presidents of Sri Lanka and Cyprus, Christo Zuulidis.
According to information released on the website of the Egyptian Presidential Palace, Sisi said that this agreement upgrades the relationship between Egypt and the European Union to a "comprehensive strategic partnership." The two parties will strengthen cooperation in finance, investment, technology, energy and other fields to achieve common interests. Create closer partnerships.
Agence France-Presse quoted an EU delegation official as saying that the agreement includes a loan of 5 billion euros (of which 1 billion euros will be paid before the end of 2024), an investment of 1.8 billion euros, bilateral project assistance of 400 million euros, and immigration project assistance of 200 million euros. .
The Associated Press reported that the two sides issued a joint statement after signing the agreement, stating that "the EU regards Egypt as a reliable partner and recognizes its unique and important geographical location as a pillar of security, stability and peace in the Mediterranean, Near East and Africa." strategic role".
Meloni said that the agreement shows that the EU is willing to strengthen "new structural cooperation methods" between both sides of the Mediterranean.
The report pointed out that Italy played a major role in promoting the signing of this agreement.
Reuters pointed out that EU officials such as Sisi and von der Leyen also discussed the situation in Gaza. Both sides expressed their firm opposition to Israel's military action against Rafah and called for a ceasefire to be reached as soon as possible.
EU officials said the war in Gaza highlighted the strategic importance of Egypt, which is trying to mediate between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic resistance group (Hamas) and increase the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
Reuters stated that the risk of instability in Egypt has long worried European countries.
Egypt has faced serious economic difficulties for some time in the past. While carrying huge foreign debt, inflation is close to historical highs. However, with the recent increase in external financial support, the country's financial tension has eased.
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